Scientists have created a sponge-like device that can boil water using only sunlight.

    Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) combined foam, heat-conducting materials and bubble wrap to create the sponge. They believe the device could provide a new way to heat water in houses or industrial facilities at a low cost.

    Traditional methods to produce steam from solar radiations* rely on expensive lenses and mirrors to focus light. The new invention, however, is relatively cheap and makes the most of low-tech components.

    The sponge is essentially a piece of copper that is treated to absorb various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum*. This means that when you expose it to the sun, it absorbs the heat.

    When water is forced through it, it heats up that water, causing it to turn into steam.

    By wrapping the sponge in bubble wrap, it focuses sunlight on the sponge to make sure the water heats up until it boils.

    Researchers George Ni and Gang Chen at MIT came up with their water-heating design in 2014.

    The researchers envisage larger versions of their device being used for domestic heating, sterilization* or for desalinating* sea water.(SD-Agencies)